How it began..
It was about 2am in the morning and I still can't seem to fall asleep. Been tossing and turning around in bed and baby seemed to be moving alot inside me. Felt a little crampy but not pain. So just wondering to myself if its time. Suddenly, I felt something weird "down there" and decided to get up and go to the toilet. Just as I stood up, I felt a gush of water flowing out, hence I knew its time.
Not panicking (although I felt abit excited), I went to relieve myself before waking Nic up from his sleep. After that, I took a quick shower and we took the hospital bag and called for a taxi. Nic made me a cup of hot milo while we waited for the taxi to arrive.
Upon arrival of the taxi, we headed to the hospital. Thank God that it was in the middle of the night, hence there was no traffic and the journey was smooth. In the taxi, Nic started sending out SMSes to friends and relatives to inform them that action is about to begin.
We arrived at the hospital at about 2.45am, and headed straight to the delivery suite. There I was brought to the observation ward where the nurse gave me a robe to change into. After changing into the delivery robe, the nurse did an examination on me and found that I was already 2cm dilated. She then proceed to strap me on the monitor to monitor the baby's heart rate as well as the contraction.
The contraction pain was not that bad in the inital stage. I managed to adopt the deep breathing method to ease myself during contractions. I can only describe the pain as that of menstural cramps. At about 8.45am, Doctor Joycelyn Wong came to did an examination on me and told me that I was 4 to 5 cm dilated. As my cervix did not dilate at the rate of 1cm/hr, Dr Wong suggested that I should be put on a drip to quicken the contractions, otherwise I might have a longer labour. As such, I was put on a drip. Shortly after, at about 9+am, I could felt that the pain was getting intense. At this point, I could no longer smile or talk. Nic has been a great support all these while. He tried to comfort me by talking to me and also offered to massage me.
At about 10.30am, the pain was getting unbearable. I started to moan out loud, at the same time, holding on to the bed rail and lying on my side. Shortly after, a nurse came and told us that she will be pushing me to the birthing ward. After I was in the birthing ward, she examined me and said that I was already 9cm dilated. 1cm more to go before I can start pushing. However the pain was really excruciating. No words to describe the pain. All I knew was I was screaming whenever the contraction kicks in. The nurse, saw me in such a pain, offered me to use the gas as a pain relief. Initially I was reluctant as I have heard of side effects, however I decided to just give it a try. Whenever the contraction starts, I just kept breathing heavily through the gas mask. Although I can still feel the exact amount of pain, but the gas made me feel high and I didn't struggle that much.
It came to a point when I suddenly have the urge to push. So Nic called out to the nurse to inform her. At first, the nurse said I wasn't ready as I was only still 9cm, however shortly after, they gave me the "permission" to push. The nurses also place my legs in a wide open position and told me to grab onto my thighs whenever I push. At about 11+am, I started pushing. When the baby's head was crowned, the nurse asked me to not to push so hard. So I did the 'breathe in and pant' method to prevent myself from pushing the baby out before Dr Wong arrives. At the interval of each contractions, I breathed through the gas mask to relax.
Soon after, Dr Wong arrived at the birthing ward. I was then told to push hard. I did a total of 6 pushes (3 contractions) before my baby is born. The time was 11.59am.
Straight after the baby was out, Dr Wong placed her on me. She was wailing and her body felt so warm. At that moment, all the pain that I felt was gone. All I could think of was the baby and I thank God for giving me a healthy and beautiful baby. The nurses then brought Nic and the baby out for a clean up and also to take her measurements. She weighs 2.725kg, with the head measuring 32cm and length being 48cm.
(Baby @ 7 and 8 week - left to right)
Currently, I am in my third trimester. Been feeling her movements inside me alot, especially in the morning and and night. She probably sleeps during the day. Hopefully she won't become a night owl after she is born. :) Feeling her movements is the best part of the pregnancy, as this is when we know and can tell that she is healthy and active. So really thank God for this wonderful gift and for keeping her safe and sound all these while.